The Toughest Job You'll Ever Love

Join The Dayton Fire Department!

Recruiting

This is where you'll learn about becoming a Dayton Firefighter: the hiring process, qualifications, benefits and everything in between. A career with the Dayton Fire Department will provide you with many options and opportunities. Explore the links above to learn how to become a Firefighter and what awaits you in this rewarding career. If you're looking for meaningful work, a chance to make a difference in your community, the opportunity to forge lifelong friendships, and the excitement of new and exciting work every day, then the Dayton Fire Department is right for you!

Applications will be accepted from January 2, 2019 – February 15, 2019.
The 2019 Test Date will take place on April 13, 2019.

Benefits

The Grade Rate Schedule according to the current City of Dayton & Local #136 contract is as follows for the position of Firefighter (Recruit step effective December 1, 2016; Steps 1 through 8 effective June 1, 2017):

Basis

Recruit Step

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

Step 7

Step 8

40 Hour

$16.20

$23.27

$24.24

$25.18

$26.25

$27.30

$28.44

$29.60

$31.04

48 Hour

$19.39

$20.20

$20.98

$21.87

$22.75

$23.70

$24.67

$25.87

Overtime Rate

$34.91

$36.36

$37.77

$39.38

$40.95

$42.66

$44.40

$46.56

Week

$648.00

$930.80

$969.60

$1,007.20

$1,050.00

$1,092.00

$1,137.60

$1,184.00

$1,241.60

Month

$2,808.00

$4,033.47

$4,201.60

$4,364.53

$4,550.00

$4,732.00

$4,929.60

$5,130.67

$5,380.27

Year

$33,696.00

$48,401.60

$50,419.20

$52,374.40

$54,600.00

$56,784.00

$59,155.20

$61,568.00

$64,563.20

*Firefighters will be paid at the Recruit Step while in training at the Dayton Fire Training Center and move to step 1 upon graduation. The length of time in the Firefighters classification served between Steps 1 and 2 shall be six (6) months; between Steps 2 and 3, twelve (12) months; between Steps 3 and 4, twelve (12) months; between steps 4 and 5, 12 (12) months; between Steps 5 and 6, twelve (12) months; between steps 6 and 7, twelve (12) months; between Steps 7 and 8, twelve (12) months; This pay schedule shall result in full pay for the Firefighters seventy-eight (78) months after graduation.

All Dayton Firefighters also receive the following benefits:

Anthem Insurance, with prescription coverage
HRA or HSA with $1500 (single) or $3000 (family) deposit made by city each January
AFSCME vision and dental coverage
Life Insurance
Earn 12 Paid vacation days per year
Earn 15 Paid sick days per year
8% incentive for 40-hour assignments
Platoon shift factor $300 paid yearly
Platoon shift personnel receive 17 EDO’s (extra days off) per year
Uniform allowance $860 per year
Paramedic plus pay of 8% of base salary
Seniority Incentive: Yearly bonus of up to 2% with additional vacation days added every 4 years
Fitness Incentive
Educational incentive ($400 – $1200 depending on degree level)
Overtime opportunities
Compensatory time option
Initial uniform(s) provided including all safety gear
Ohio Police and Fire Plan with D.R.O.P. option
Paid holidays

Career Advancement

For those interested in advancing through the ranks, several options are available. The ranks of Lieutenant through District Chief are attained by way of a competitive Civil Service promotional examination. Persons in these positions are covered by Bargaining Unit contract. The ranks above District Chief are made by appointment, and are not part of the collective bargaining process.

Firefighters are eligible to sit for the Lieutenant’s exam after 5 years of consecutive accredited service as a sworn Firefighter.

Chief

Deputy Chief

Assistant Chiefs

District Chief

Captain

Lieutenant

Firefighter

Specializations

The Dayton Fire Department maintains a broad range of specialized units that will allow you to tailor your career to a specific area of interest. These include:

Hazmat

High Angle Rescue

Vehicle Extrication

Confined Space

Fast Water Rescue

Emergency Vehicle Operator

Trench Rescue

Structural Collapse

Rescue Task Force

Emergency Medicine

Hiring Process

The Fire Department has a very different hiring method than the average business. It can take six months to two years to get hired from the date of application. Our next Fire exam is April 13, 2019. We are accepting applications January 2 through February 15, 2019. So, how does the hiring process work for the Dayton Fire Department?

Academy Start Date

Qualifications

AGE: Must be 16 years of age at time of time of examination, 18 years of age at time of appointment. Must not be over the age of 41 by completion of the fire training academy.

EDUCATION: Must have a high school diploma or GED at time of appointment.

LICENSE: Must posses a valid Driver’s license at the time of appointment and maintain as a term and condition of continued employment.

CITIZENSHIP: Not required; however, you must provide documentary evidence of Employment Authorization and Identity.

CHARACTER: Must be of good moral character, have no disqualifying police record of convictions, have a good previous work record, good driving history and the ability to get along with people. Must pass a complete background investigation including credit history, driving history, previous employment history and any criminal history you might have on record.

PHYSICAL: A job-related medical examination which includes a drug screen and cardiovascular and pulmonary fitness testing will be conducted. Vision without correction must be a minimum of 20/100 in EACH eye. Corrected, vision must be a minimum of 20/40 or better in EACH eye. Must not be colorblind.

Contact Us

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Do you have questions about joining the Dayton Fire Department?
Contact Jeremy Carnes: